17. ἀπέστειλεν τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ δείπνου. This is still a custom in the East, Pro 9:1-5; Thomson, Land and Book, I. ch. ix. The message of the servant corresponds to the ministry of John the Baptist and of Jesus Himself.
ἔρχεσθε, ὅτι ἤδη ἕτοιμά ἐστιν. “Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Luk 10:1; Luk 10:9; Mat 3:1-2.